In June of this year, a plan to cut carbon emissions was created by the EPA to go along with President Obama’s Clean Power Plan. This plan is supposed to help with greenhouse gas emissions, and should help the environment. If there is a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, the percentages for what is emitted into the atmosphere will drop, and will help with the greenhouse effect. This could include electricity, pollution in transportation, and what we do as humans.
Above is the Total U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector in 2012. Electricity is the highest emitters. “The electric power sector accounted for 32% of U.S. total greenhouse gas emissions in 2012. Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity have increased by about 11% since 1990 as electricity demand has grown and fossil fuels have remained the dominant source for generation” (EPA). With the electricity emissions increasing, too much electricity is being used. Us as people do not fully do our part when trying to stop it. There could be so much more that we could do if we really wanted to reduce this sector. Many people leave lights on when unnecessary, keep chargers and things plugged in when not being used, and much more. If this were reduced and people tried to save electricity, this sector percentage may be lowered.
“This proposal will maintain an affordable, reliable energy system, while cutting pollution and protecting our health and environment now and for future generations” (EPA). This quote says what this power plan is designed to do. This system is going to be something that is reliable, or so that is the plan. Cutting pollution will be a big help, whether it be from the transportation we use, or from what humans litter and leave behind. There have been different cars that have been made to be more echo-friendly, so this should help cut down on the transportation pollution, or at least the fossil fuels. Cleaner air will definitely improve our health, because breathing in cleaner air will be better for us.
I think that this Clean Power Plan should help the greenhouse effect a lot. The only thing is that people need to try and actually help to make this happen. When people don’t put in any effort in to try and fix this problem, it will not be able to be completely successful. What people don’t realize is that they are who are complaining and making a big deal about global warming and the greenhouse affect, but they don’t realize they they should be doing something too to help the situation as well.
“Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule.” Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule. EPA, 16 Sept. 2014. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.
“Learn About Carbon Pollution From Power Plants.” Carbon Pollution Standards. EPA, 16 Sept. 2014. Web. 24 Sept. 2014.
Tincher, Sarah. “WVU Law Professor Provides Insight on Clean Power Plan from Appalachian Perspective.” WVU Law Professor Provides Insight on Clean Power Plan from Appa. The State Journal, 26 Sept. 2014th. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.